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Syria’s opposition wants to see the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions demanding an end to sieges in the country before committing to new negotiations.

Madaya is one of four towns included in a rare deal last year that was intended to halt fighting and allow the entry of aid.

But despite the deal, the UN and other aid groups have had only limited access to Madaya, along with rebel-held Zabadani, and the government-held towns of Fuaa and Kafraya, under opposition siege.

Conditions in Madaya have been among the worst, with about 42,000 civilians there surrounded by government troops who have laid mines around the town.

While the government has some ability to airdrop supplies to Fuaa and Kafraya, the opposition has no similar capacity, and aid groups have regularly urged continuous access to the four towns.

They have also called for the evacuation of those suffering malnutrition or other illnesses.

Citing medics it supports in the town, MSF said there were at least 320 cases of malnutrition, including 33 that were severe.

“It is unacceptable that people continue to die from starvation, and that critical medical cases remain in the town when they should have been evacuated weeks ago,” said MSF’s director of operations Brice de le Vingne.